SERO-PREVALENCE, MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF BRUCELLOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF EAST WALLAGA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Advisor: Mezene Woyessa (Dvm, Mvsc, Phd, Associate Professor Of Veterinary Public Health) Among the widespread bacterial zoonotic diseases, brucellosis poses serious veterinary, public health, and economic risks in developing countries specially, Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. This study aims to estimate seroprevalence, molecular detection, identification of potential risk factors associated with disease occurrence and asses knowledge, attitude and practices of the respondents about brucellosis in the East Wallaga zone from January 2024 to May 2025. A total of 217 blood samples were collected from three selected districts of east wollega. A multistage stratification sampling techniques was used from of the districts to the household level. Finally individual animals were randomly selected for blood sampling. The blood samples were serologically tested using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) for the initial screening in which 5(2.3%) were found to be seropositive. All RBPT positive sera samples were retested to the second serodiagnosis for further confirmation by using Compliment Fixation Test (CFT) by which only 2(0.92%) positive samples were identified. Eventhough, Real time PCR was employed to check for the presence of bacterial genome in CFT positive samples, there were no brucella genetic material detected through this processes in the given sample. Among eleven peasant associations selected for this study, the highest seropotive for RBPT was recorded in Arjo Gudatu (5%) followed by Uke (3%) and the rest were negative (0%). The two CFT positive samples were identified from adult goats found in Uke and Arjogudatu Peasant associations. The majority of risk factors, including districts, peasant associations, species, gender, and age, showed no significant effect on Brucella seropositivity (P&gt;0.05). Small ruminants those have history of abortion and parity revealed statistically significant results (P&lt;0.05). Owners had low knowledge, attitudes, and practices about brucellosis. Education level the respondent was associated with knowledge (χ2=14.6035; P = 0.006), attitudes (χ2=69.3195; P = 0.000), and practices (χ2=38.4295; P = 0.000) about the source, transmission and Prevention of the disease. Despite the fact that,, the seroprevalence in the area of study was low it can easily propagate unless adequate brucellosis control and prevention strategies will be implemented for preventing future economic losses and minimize the public health risk associated with the disease. In addition enhancing community awareness of the disease is crucial to reducing the impact on productivity of small ruminant and risks of the disease to transmit.<br> Keywords:Brucellosis, East Wallaga, Molecular Detection, Risk factors, Seroprevalence, small ruminants, Ethiopia